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Sage facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 038
A wise old man: "Philosopher in Meditation" by Rembrandt

A sage is a special character often found in stories and myths. You might also hear them called a wise old man. This character is usually an older man who has a lot of wisdom and experience. When people in a story face problems, they often go to the sage for help and advice. The sage is known for being calm, smart, and like a kind grandparent figure. They give good advice or help make fair decisions.

Sometimes, the sage is seen as being a bit different from everyone else in the story. They might come from another place or have special abilities. For example, Merlin from the King Arthur legends was a powerful wizard who was only half human. This made him unique and gave him special insights.

The Sage in Psychology

The famous psychologist Carl Jung studied different types of characters that appear in stories and dreams. He called the wise old man character a senex. This is a Latin word that simply means old man. Jung saw the senex as someone who understands that a younger person is meant to be the main hero of the story. The sage's job is to guide and advise this young hero, not to be the hero themselves. They share their knowledge and help the hero grow.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sage (desambiguación) para niños

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